It's been more than 25 years since Hardee's left one of its oldest locations in Wilmington.

According to an article in the Sept. 21, 1999, Wilmington Morning Star, franchiser Boddie-Noell Enterprises closed the Hardee's on Dawson Street as it looked to "expand into newer neighborhoods surrounding Wilmington and bring a new look to its eateries."

For decades Hardee's had a spot on Dawson Street alongside similar businesses such as Dairy Queen and KFC (then known by its original Kentucky Fried Chicken name).

Along with efforts to branch out of the Port City, the Rocky Mount-based fast-food chain was purchased by a California company that owns Carl's Jr. It resulted in some rebranding places into "Star Hardee's," as the star was part of the Carl's Jr. logo. That conversion to all locatio

See Full Page